A
Flag for Mars

The Mars Flag has
a different design on the reverse side.

obverse
side of flag

reverse
side of flag

The Mars Flag is
meant to be viewed from the back as well as the front.

The design on
the reverse side is a continuation of the design on the obverse. The orbit lines
on the obverse cross the Sun on the lower half of the flag and appear to go
behind the Sun on the upper half of the flag. The reverse side has the orbits
lines continuing around the Sun on the upper half of the flag.

This gives you
the view as you pass the flag, as if you are traveling through space and passing
through the Solar System. As you approach the Sun, you see the orbit lines of
the planets pass behind the Sun and as you pass the Sun and look back, you see
the continuation of the orbit lines on the reverse side.

This is one of
the most unique aspects of the Mars Flag as compared to other flags. The Mars
Flag reverse side is a continuation of the obverse side and not just a different
design on the back and not a mirror image of the obverse.

Main Flag Background Color

The main background
color of the state flag is blue. There are no state or national flags with black
as the main background color.

The Mars Flag
main background is black to represent the blackness of space.

Astronomical Design Elements

The Mars Flag
is an astronomy lesson. The flag design elements represent the orbits of Mercury,
Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter, their relative distance from the Sun.

The 1st quarter
of the flag contains the Sun represented by a yellow half circle.

The 2nd quarter
of the flag contains orbit lines for Mercury, Venus, and Earth,
indicating the relative distance of the planets from the Sun.

The 3rd quarter
of the flag contains the planet Mars, represented by a red circle, with
the planet's relative distance from the Sun.

The 4th quarter
of the flag contains a line representing the orbit of Jupiter, calculated
at the planet's relative distance from the Sun.

General Comments on Flags

The Northern American
Vexillological Association (dedicated to the study of flag history and symbolism)
has 5 basic principles of flag design which are summarized as follows:

1. Keep It Simple

The flag should
be so simple that a child can draw it from memory. Flags flap. Flags drape.
Flags must be seen from a distance. Under these circumstances, only simple designs
make effective flags. Furthermore, complicated flags cost more to make, which
often can limit how widely they are used.

Ideally the design
will be reversible or at least recognizable from either side. Don't put a different
design on the back.

The Mars Flag
has simple components, various elements of symmetry, yet complicated astronomical
units and a different design on the back.

2. Use Meaningful
Symbolism

The flag's images,
colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes. Symbolism can be in
the form of a main graphic element, in the colors used, or sometimes even in
the shapes or layout of the parts of the flag.

The Mars Flag
contains many symbolic elements, including symbols of the Sun and Mars, and
the orbits of the planets their relative distance from the Sun.

3. Use 2-3 Basic
Colors

Limit the number
of colors on the flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard
color set.

Words defeat the
purpose. A flag is a graphic symbol. Lettering is nearly impossible to read
from a distance and is not reversible.

The Mars Flag
has no lettering or seals and no elements that would detract from the design
when viewed from the reverse. The Mars Flag is meant to be viewed from the reverse
to see the continuation of the orbits.

5. Be Distinctive
or Be Related

Avoid duplicating
other flags, but use similarities to show connections. Sometimes the good designs
are already taken. However, a flag's symbols, colors, and shapes can recall
other flags–a powerful way to show heritage, solidarity, or connectedness.
This requires knowledge of other flags.

The Mars Flag
is distinctive. It is the flag for a planet and stands out among flags from
states or nations.

The Mars Flag meets
many of the basic principles of flag design and differs on others.

The Mars Flag
is meant to be different.

"A flag
should be simple, readily made, and capable of being made up in bunting; it
should be different from the flag of any other country, place, or people;
it should be significant; it should be readily distinguishable at a distance;
the colors should be well contrasted and durable; and lastly, and not the
least important point, it should be effective and handsome."
National Flag Committee of the Confederate States of America, 1861